Karolina Czemerys
Talent Acquisition & HR Project, Raiffeisen Tech Poland
How to create an effective CV?
A CV is your way of communicating with a potential employer. The way you prepare it (e.g., missing key information) can determine whether or not you get invited to the next stage of the recruitment process. Before applying, make sure your CV includes all the information required in the job posting. Below are some practical tips to help you create a CV that grabs the attention of IT recruiters.
1. Tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for.
Read the job posting carefully and check whether your CV addresses the listed requirements. If your CV lacks certain information but you do have the relevant experience or knowledge, be sure to include it. Remember, the person reviewing your CV only sees what you’ve written down.
2. Work experience:
Include your job title, a description of your responsibilities, and the technology stack you worked with. Focus especially on your current role or experience from the last few years. List roles in reverse chronological order (from most recent to oldest).
3. Education:
Include your educational background (university or secondary school), and don’t forget to mention any certifications or courses you've completed.
4. Clarity and simplicity:
Ensure your CV is well-structured, easy to read, and free of spelling errors. After writing your CV, take a look at how it appears visually. A common mistake is trying to cram everything onto one page at the expense of readability. Sometimes there are too many design elements – keep it simple.
5. Brief personal summary:
It’s good practice to include a few sentences about yourself at the top of your CV. You can mention what motivates you, what drew your attention to this particular job, or highlight your relevant experience for the role.
6. Contact details:
Make sure your phone number and email address are clearly visible and correct.
7. Links:
Add a link to your LinkedIn profile or your code repository/portfolio.
8. Length:
Your CV can be longer than one page, but it shouldn’t be overly long. There’s no strict rule on how many pages are acceptable – typically, 1–2 pages is fine. If it ends up too long, double-check whether all the information is necessary and up to date. At the same time, don’t cut out valuable content just to fit everything on one page.
9. Be honest:
Don’t include false or outdated information, but also don’t downplay your skills and experience.
10. Structure:
You can divide your CV into the following sections: contact details + links, personal summary, education, work experience, skills, language proficiency, and additional information (if relevant).
And finally, don’t be afraid to apply even if you don’t meet 100% of the listed requirements. In the IT industry, what really counts are your skills, willingness to learn, and drive to grow. Employers are often looking for potential – not just a perfect checklist match.
